Warman's
Blue Army Lead A Manic Rampage

Manics had to win this weekend to make it to the final. Their opposition
was the defiant Crown Royals, having beaten them last season to win Division
One, Manics knew this was going to be one of the toughest games yet of
all season. Helping out the Manics though, would be an army of fans and
supporters!

Royals looked a little casual on arrival, whereas the Manics on the other
hand were being given the warm-up of their lives by Mark Gates..

Manics started the brightest of the two teams, playing some great football.
Within minutes of the first half Ryan Warman's 'Ashley Cole' style run
opened up the Royals defence. Luckily for Royals, Warman's shot was off
target.

That was Royals wake up call, who quickly stepped up their game.

The remainder of the half was well fought, with both sides having chances;
but after such a bright start it would be Manics who would concede. Manics
back four were caught outnumbered at the back, and Royals square ball
across the box was neatly put it away to make it 1-0 to the Royals. Mark
Gates was then booked for his unsporting behavior towards the referee
after the goal had gone in.

Manics made a change minutes later. Brent Marais, still with a niggling
hamstring injury would be replaced with a hungry Barry O'Connell.

Manics equalised minutes later, but the goal scored by Mark Robertson
was ruled offside. Fans at the sidelines couldn’t believe it as
they watched O'Connell in a 1-on-1 get tackled by the Royals keeper before
Robertson ran from behind O'Connell collecting the ball and score - only
to watch the linesman rule it offside.

In the second, Manics dismissed the bad decisions and quickly began to
pick up on their game.

A mounting period of pressure finally paid off when Gareth
Jones equalised for the Manics to make it 1-1. Royals couldn't
clear the ball and Jones did well to poke the ball scrappily underneath
the keeper.

Two further goals followed from the Manics in quick succession. First
a similar goal to Jone's first, Mark Robertson
did the same to take the Manics ahead.

Next, Barry O'Connell scored from a long
ball from Robertson. O'Connell had the pace to beat the Royals marker,
then the strength to shrug him off before striking to make it 3-1.

The Manics began to control the game, and Ryan Warman came close a second
time when he cut inside and shot with his right foot, striking the bar
before the ball was hurriedly cleared.

Manics made a change with 12 minutes remaining on the clock. Gary Sarney
came on at right wing to replace Gareth Evans.

Royals were suddenly back in with a chance to win it when they scored
with 5 minutes on the clock to make it 3-2. Then James Robinson was sent
off with only 30 seconds remaining, for allegedly serious foul play on
a Royals player. But Manics held out for a win, and now they can look
forward to playing Saracens in the final of the Bracknell Town & District
Sunday Football League Senior Cup on the 5th May.